Means for starting internal-combustion engines.



En ines, of which the following is UNITED STATES Pa e osnroa.

GIOVANNI ENRICO, OF TURIN, ITA LY, ASSIGNOR TO F. I. A. T. FABBRIGA ITALIANA AUTO- MOBILE TORINO, OF TURIN, ITALY.

MEANS FOR STARTING INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Patented May 19, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GIOVANNI ENRIoo, eri gineer, residing at Turin, Italy, Corso Dante '35, a subject of the King of Italy, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Means for Startin Internalom'bustion a full, clear, an exact specification.

'- The object of this invention is to provide means for starting internal combustion en- 4 Ines by means of fluid under pressure such or example as com ressed air, or gas. An

arrangement accor mg to this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing as ap lied to a four cylinder engine;

igure 1 shows a general elevation and Fig. 2, a section, showing details and drawn to a larger scale.

Each 0 linder is provided with inlet and outlet va vesofl'v '0 o, o erated in any known, or suitable manner, f dr example, by cams mounted on a shaft B only one of these cams (marked u) being shown in the drawmg. 7 Additional valves 1", r r 1*, open and close passages for the admission to the engine he of compressed fluid from a reservoir R. fluid may be compressed in the cylinder R in any suitable wa for example, by means of a pump 0 driven y the motor. I

The following .arran ement is applied to A 1* r, r. Throu h the shaft B, which is hollow runs a seconrf shaft Aprovided with a pin or projecting from the shaft A through grooves t in the shaft B. and fixed to this pin is a cam n,

.. (one opposite to each of the stems 8, s s 8 of the valves 1", r, r, 7 capable of sliding on :the shaft B. Each of the cams n is circular throu a part (say a half) of its length so that tTllS part (which is on ,the right hand in Fig". 2) im arts no motion of the stems s s s 8, an consequently the corresponding additional valves remaln at. rest during the rotation of the cams.

The other part (say a half) off-each cam is shaped in a, similar I manner to the cams u and t e camsn are so set on theshaft A that the opening of the valves r;-r; 1", r takes place at the part of .the stroke of the working pistons corresponding to that at which-the explosion takesplace in the respective cylinders. 'The'shalt A is maintained by a coiled spring M, inia position such that each of the stems s, 8, 8 ,8, is opposite the circular part of its respectlve cam 1?, so that the valves r, r, 1), 1" are northe action of a spring O, the pressure of which is exerted on one side against a collar h attached to each of the stems s, s 8, s.

For starting. the shaft A is moved longitudinally against the action of the spring M, so that each of the cams n is moved into the position wherein its eccentric portion comes under its respective stem .9, s, s, s.

In four-cylinder internal combustion engines .during normal Work one of the cylindersis always performing its workin stroke so that if at the corresponding time the additional valve (1 ,7 T or r) is raised it allows the admission to that cylinder, of compressed fluid through the assa e P, and successively compressed fluid is a mitted to the other cylinder and the cams and additional valves come successively into operation. After a suflicient number of revolutions the motor is sufficiently started and the shaft A is returned to its normalvv osition and the valves r, r", 1", 1", remain c osed, and the engine o erates normally.

The on itudinal motion of the shaft Amay be effecte by means of any suitable arrangement, but it is preferred to use the following arrangement in accordance with this invention in connection with the shaft A. A iston S works in a cylinder F so arranged t at the rod U of the piston S is in line with the shaft A and bears against the end thereof.

The cylinder F communicates, at its front end, b means of a tube E, with the cornpresse fluid reservoir through the medium of a cock R which, in automobiles, may be arranged in any convenient position within the reach of the driver. The tubes P, P I, P, branchoff the pipe T beyond the cock B so that, when this cock is closed the admission of compressed fluid to the cylinder 1" and valves 1", 1' 1' 7, is prevented. To start the motor the cock R is opened and as soon as themotor is started, the cock R is closed and the valves 1, r 7*, r remain closed. excepting that at first they may con tinue to move for a few moments on account of the rotation of the cams n while the compressed fluid escapes from the cylinder F through small holes D or if preferred throu h a passage provided in the cock R lie shaft A then returns to its normal position under the action ofthe spring M and the valves 7" 7' 1* 1' remain closed during the normal working of the engine.

Having now articularly described the na ture of my sai invention and in what mannerthe same is to be performed I declare that what I claimis:

1. In an internalcombustion engine, the

combination-with the cylinder of inlet and outlet'valves, cams for operating such valves,

' a hollow cam shaft carrying such cams, an

i additionalvalve adapted to admit compressed fluid to the'engine for starting pur oses, a

cam for operating said additional va ve, sai

vcam being independent of the outlet and inletvalve cams, and being adapted to slide on -i 'said camshaft, and a second shaft for operthecam shaft.

atmg-th cam-for the additional valve, said shaft extending within the cam shaft and be ing connected to its cam through slots formed 2.: In aniinternal combustion engine,- the combination with the cylinderof inlet and 1 outlet valves, cams for operating such valves,

-' a-hollow aoamshaft carrying such cams, an

{' 'additiofial valve adapted to admit comlet and inlet toslide. "operat' 30.

pressed fluid'to-the engine-for starting purposes, af-cam for-operating said additional valve, said cam beingindependentof the outvalve cams, and bein adapted on said cam shaft,"a 'secon shaft for the cam for the additional valve, said sha t extending within'the cam shaft andbeing connected to its cam through slots --formed in the cam shaft, and a piston for operating said second shaft, said piston being connected on one side with a source of compressed fluid, and said shaft being provided with a spring tooppose the movements of said iston, 3. 11 an internal combustion engine, the

combination with the cylinder of an additional valve for admitting compressed air to the engine for starting purposes, acam adapts to be moved into and out of position for operatin normally ho ding said cam in its inoperative position, and a piston connected on one side with a source 0 ed to move said cam to its operative position and to hold it in pressure of sald spring.

4. In an internal combustion engine,'the

combination with the cylinder of an addisaid valve, a'yielding means for such position against the compressed fluid and adapt:

tional valve for admitting compressed air to the en inc for starting purposes, a can adapts to be moved into and out of position for operating said valve,- a yielding means for normally holding said cam in its inoperative position, and apiston connected on one side witha source-of compressed fluid and adapted 'tomove said cam to itsoperative cy index and said piston automatically moves to throw said cam out of its operatlve position. i

In witness whereof; I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. GIOVANNI ENRICO. Witnesses:

MARIO QAPUooIo, GEOTTL'C. PLRONI.

and when said valve is closed the 

